Chloé has hired Saint Laurent’s Chemena Kamali as its next creative director.
Kamali takes over the reins from Gabriela Hearst, who announced plans to leave the brand in June 2023 to launch her own eponymous label. She joins the label from Saint Laurent, where she served as design director for women’s ready-to-wear, working closely with the brand’s creative director, Anthony Vaccarello. She has also previously worked at Chloé under Phoebe Philo.
“My heart has always been Chloé’s. It has been since I stepped through its doors more than 20 years ago,” Kamali said.
Now back at Chloé, Kamali is expected to redefine the brand’s vision and help reboot sales, which have reportedly failed behind other luxury labels in recent times.
Demand for Chloé’s expensive leather products, once critical to the brand’s business, has been particularly tepid, while lower-priced products, such as its knit sneakers, gained momentum under Hearst’s leadership.
“Chemena’s vision, inspired by her love for the brand, will truly celebrate Chloé’s unique DNA. Chemena is both the creative director of Chloé and the embodiment of the Chloé spirit,” said Chloé President and CEO Riccardo Bellini.
Kamali is expected to showcase her first pre-collection in January 2024 in Paris. Its launch will be followed by an autumn/winter collection set to be unveiled at the Paris Fashion Week in January 2024.
